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Exhortation To Seek Wisdom

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Hear, therefore, kings, and understand; learn, you magistrates of the earth's expanse!

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Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude and lord it over throngs of peoples!

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Because authority was given you by the LORD and sovereignty by the Most High, who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels!

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Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly, and did not keep the law, nor walk according to the will of God,

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Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you, because judgment is stern for the exalted -

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For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.

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For the Lord of all shows no partiality, nor does he fear greatness, Because he himself made the great as well as the small, and he provides for all alike;

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but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.

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To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.

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For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy, and those learned in them will have ready a response.

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Desire therefore my words; long for them and you shall be instructed.

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Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.

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She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men's desire;

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he who watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate.

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For taking thought of her is the perfection of prudence, and he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care;

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Because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.

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For the first step toward discipline is a very earnest desire for her; then, care for discipline is love of her;

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love means the keeping of her laws; To observe her laws is the basis for incorruptibility;

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and incorruptibility makes one close to God;

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thus the desire for Wisdom leads up to a kingdom.

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If, then, you find pleasure in throne and scepter, you princes of the peoples, honor Wisdom, that you may reign as kings forever.

Introduction

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Now what wisdom is, and how she came to be I shall relate; and I shall hide no secrets from you, But from the very beginning I shall search out and bring to light knowledge of her, nor shall I diverge from the truth.

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Neither shall I admit consuming jealousy to my company, because that can have no fellowship with Wisdom.

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A great number of wise men is the safety of the world, and a prudent king, the stability of his people;

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so take instruction from my words, to your profit.